Bill to Guarantee Right to Self Defense for Military Passes First Test

Denver – Today, Majority Whip John Cooke’s bill to guarantee the rights of active duty and honorably discharged military personnel passed its first test.

Senate Bill 17-006, a Senate Republican caucus agenda bill outlined by President Kevin J. Grantham in his opening day remarks, allows approved military personnel under 21 to apply for a concealed carry permit.

Senate Bill 006 honors our service men and women, who give so much for our freedom, by strengthening existing law.

Under current law, active duty military personnel and honorably discharged personnel under 21 can open carry in Colorado. Senate Bill 006 will allow those 18 through 20 year olds to defend themselves and their families at home.

“We trust our highly-skilled young service men and women to defend us abroad, it makes no sense that we revoke their right to self-defense when they are here in Colorado," said Cooke. "This is a commonsense step to strengthening liberty and allowing those who defend our freedom, to apply for a permit and go through a background check just like any other Coloradan who wants to defend themselves or their family."